Defence of the US and its Allies MT 5/2022 · 9 has programmed 120 PrSM missiles in its 2023 budget, while a Marine Corps spokesperson, indicated its PrSM fielding remains “predecisional”. The Japanese Ground Self Defence Force is embarked on accelerated development of an advanced version of its current Type12 trucklaunched anti-ship missiles. The upgraded version from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries extends its range from the current 200 to at least 900km with a further extension to 1,400km planned. The new missile also has a lower radar-cross section to reduce detection, in-flight satellite link target data updating, enhanced Terrain Contour Matching and on-board target discrimination. Of benefit is that the improved missile still uses the 8x8 tactical truck which is easy to move and conceal. The Type 12 SSM – Upgraded will begin deployment in 2023. Ship and aircraft versions of the Type 12 are to follow. The Tomiuri Daily reported on 23 August that Japan’s MoD has committed to deploying 1,000 Type 12s to the southwestern islands and Kyushu. Taiwan has launched a similar ground LRPF missile deployment with both ground strike and anti-ship systems. The includes the March 2022 NSM is equally capable of precision strike of a ground target is another benefit that recommends it in supporting the changing mission or taskings of a ground combat command, especially in an expeditionary operation . As impressive as the performance of the NSM is, it is nevertheless important to put this in perspective as regards use in the Pacific, where distance influences every system’s role. NSM’s maximum range of 185km must be put in an operational context: it cannot cover, for example, the 400km gap between Okinawa and the disputed Senkaku Islands. As Mark Cancian at the Center for Strategic Studies suggests “NSM must get close to an adversary to be effective, that will be difficult. Once conflict begins … it will be dangerous if not impossible.” However, the ground launched NSM is ideally suited to denying a specific piece of ocean or securing a critical choke-point as part of a larger air-naval-ground force. The Tools: Offensive Greater range is essential to facilitate offensive LRPF, especially in the Pacific. The US Army Precision Strike Missile (PrSM), now entering active service as a deep-strike system against critical ground targets could contribute to such a capability. Of particular importance is that PrSM is designed to be fired from the fielded tracked M270A1 MLRS and the more easily deployable 6x6 M142 HIMARS. With two missiles per pod, HIMARS will carry two while MLRS has four. The Army Fires Cross Functional Team stated, “PrSM’s 400 km+ range, optimized unitary warhead, and precision guidance are intended to address threat air defences, missile sites, command and control, staging areas, and high-pay-off targets.” In a Pacific conflict, it could potentially target opposing incursions, airfields, and landings. Enhancements already planned include “a multi-mode seeker capable of engaging moving land and maritime targets, autonomous target detection, and extending the range using air-breathing ram-jet propulsion.” With these improvements, it becomes a long range multi-target capable system, that has the advantage of being widely present on the battlefield. The PrSM and Guided MLRS, particularly employed from HIMARS, offer a significant capability to Pacific combat. The number of potential launch systems alone provide a widespread possible strike or anti-ship capability. With any HIMARS or MLRS able to deliver either land or anti- ship fire, it become increasingly difficult for an opponent to counter. Even the 92km range GMLRS, which will add a multi-role air-burst effect and has a 150km Extended Range version (entering production in 2023), could be used to effect in many Pacific scenarios. Plus, HIMARS particularly is both readily transportable by air or ship to where it is needed and, once there, can move with minimal constraints or impact on what may be limited roads and infrastructure. The latter, plus the ability to be dispersed, concealed, and displaced to enhance survivability, as demonstrated in Ukraine, lends itself to anticipated operating conditions. That it can self-reload is also a major advantage, permitting a low signature and allowing independent operation. A single HIMARS with accompanying resupply truck(s) could repeatedly move-shoot-move, compounding an adversary’s response. HIMARS is already fielded in the region by Singapore, with Taiwan and Australia also receiving them. The US Army A former US Marine and defence industry executive, Stephen W Miller has extensive international hands-on experience in operations, systems development, acquisition and field support, from which he derives a unique perspective on the critical nature of their connection. The effectiveness of LRPF in the Pacific relies not only on precision but also numbers. Even ship-killing is not straightforward ‘one missile, one kill’. Here in RIMPAC2020 the 4,500t USS Buchanan could not be sunk ,despite hits by three AGM-114 Hellfire air-to-surface missiles, three Harpoon anti-ship missiles, and a 1,100kg laser-guided bomb. (Photo: USN) Japan has committed to an accelerated programme toward fielding an advanced version of the Type 12 truck-launched anti-ship missile system, extending range to 900km initially, with fielding in 2023. Additional upgrades contemplate a 1,500km range. (Photo: USArmy) f
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